Space

From the design of the first breathing regulator for Project Mercury, to a full suite of hardware and cutting-edge pneumatic subsystems for the ISS, Cobham has engineered some of the most complex, challenging space components in existence today. Cobham builds ultimate reliability into life support...

Air

Many of the world’s best known aircraft, including the F-35 and all Airbus platforms, feature Cobham technology. From internet in the sky through to jamming and missile guidance for the latest fighter aircraft, Cobham has an innovative suite of avionics, communication and navigation products for an...

Land

From lightweight composite CNG tanks for automotive, to wireless coverage in the world's tallest building, Cobham has a variety of land based solutions for commercial and defence applications. Our advanced Ground Penetrating Radar detection, and secure communications support security forces and...

Maritime

Cobham’s maritime communications provide reliable communications in the toughest maritime conditions. We provide satcom and radio for the Volvo Ocean Race and microwave and radar technology for the AEGIS class cruiser. Cobham also offers an innovative range of safety and survival equipment, includi...

Aero-HSD+ incorporates three
Aero-H+ channels: two channels for global voice,
fax and PC modem data and one channel for cockpit data. In
addition, the system supports a single Swift 64 channel for data
transmission. A second Swift 64 channel can be added by
installing an HSU component to the system.

Supporting MPDS and ISDN, Aero-HSD+ enables
users to pay for the amount of data transmitted or pay per minute
to suit individual requirements. So whether browsing and calling or
transferring larger files users can choose the most convenient and
cost effective way of transmitting data to support each
application.

For the ultimate cockpit and cabin communications solution,
existing customers of Aero-HSD+ can easily and
cost-effectively upgrade to AVIATOR 700D. Offering the next
generation in airborne communication capability, AVIATOR 700D
supports countless airborne voice and data communications
applications using Inmarsat's latest SwiftBroadband services in
combination with the Classic Aero Services included with
Aero-HSD+.

Case Study

Responsible for closely monitoring the Earth's ever changing
environment, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) plays a vital role in assisting forecasters to accurately
predict when and where a hurricane is likely to strike.

The NOAA currently operates three 'hurricane hunter' aircraft
which are affectionately named after Jim Henson's lovable Muppet
characters Kermit, Miss Piggy and Gonzo.

Flying around and through deadly hurricanes, the 2WP-3 Orions or
P-3 aircraft Kermit and Miss Piggy are used to gather essential
hurricane research and reconnaissance.

Providing the critical link between aircraft and ground control
stations, Cobham's cutting-edge satcom solutions such as the
AVIATOR 700 have become fundamental to the success of many of the
NOAA's operations.

Accurate Forecasting

Electrical Engineer for the NOAA Jeff Smith is responsible for
the integration of new systems including satellite communications
onto aircraft such as the P-3 hurricane hunters.

He explains: "It's a common misconception that the P-3 aircraft
are only used to research hurricanes, in fact, as well as hurricane
research they are used to track and research atmospheric events
across the globe.

"By tracking winter storms rolling across the Pacific while
based out of Japan and Hawaii, NOAA is able to greatly improve
forecast capabilities in the U.S.

"This development has enabled us to accurately predict winter
storm weather up to ten days in advance, where previously it has
only been possible to produce six day accurate forecasts."

Mission Critical Equipment

The aircraft carry exceptionally sophisticated equipment
including radar, computers and weather instruments that determine
characteristics such as temperature, air pressure, wind speed and
wind direction inside the hurricane.

During a mission, which can often last up to ten hours, the crew
onboard release instruments to measure temperature, air pressure
and wind at varying levels as the devices drop through the
hurricane towards the ocean.

Once the data is gathered, it is critical that it is
communicated effectively to control stations on the ground to be
analysed by scientists responsible for predicting the storm's
path.

Advanced Capabilities

The development of satellite communications as an instrumental
technology to transmit data to the ground has become critical in
the success of the NOAA's hurricane hunter missions.

Within the advancement of severe weather event prediction, the
capability to send larger quantities of data, at a faster speed has
been imperative.

"The launch of Inmarsat SwiftBroadband has provided a huge step
forward for us as it has offered the capability to send more data
in real-time.

"With the use of Cobham's AVIATOR 700 SwiftBroadband solution we
can now send forecasters full resolution radar images, as well as
stream live video images, which will be useful for news & other
TV programmes to show the public what is going on."

Jeff concludes: "The more information we can send from the
aircraft, the more accurate the NOAA forecasters' prediction is
likely to be. The Cobham AVIATOR 700 system has become a vital
instrument in performing our missions, allowing us to significantly
expand our capabilities."